Get Informed: Zyprexa
Active Ingredient(s)
Olanzapine
What does it do?
This product is approved for use in the treatment of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is believed to work by acting against two important chemical messengers in the brain called serotonin and dopamine. It is available in the form of normal tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and intramuscular injection.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Jul-31 8:06 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Jul-30 9:08 PM
Other Names
- Zyprexa
- Olanzapine
- Dozic
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning regarding use in elderly patients with dementia related psychosis.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Sep 1996
- Est US Patients*
- 416,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Zyprexa or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Zyprexa Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Zyprexa used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 3,000 patients that use Zyprexa (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Bipolar Disorder | 62% |
mild
severe
|
| Psychosis | 38% |
mild
severe
|
| Anxiety | 38% |
mild
severe
|
| Depression | 23% |
mild
severe
|
| Insomnia | 8% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Zyprexa work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,000 users taking Zyprexa (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iGuard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 92%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Zyprexa outweigh the bad things.
- 7%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Zyprexa.
Common Side Effects of Zyprexa
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,000 users taking Zyprexa (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
70% of patients experience side-effects on Zyprexa
23% of patients experience significant side-effects on Zyprexa
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
Restlessness
-
Increased Appetite
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Headache
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Zyprexa (Olanzapine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
The main problem I found was weight gain, the other problem was I seemed to loose my personality, I wanted to be alone and did not want to be around other people, on the positive side for the first time I could think straight thoughts stopped going round and round constantly in my head, I stopped being aggressive and totally losing control, I could actually handle situations rationally. I only use this drug occasionally now when I feel I am losing control, it takes the edge off of things.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-04 19:05:50
Question/Comment:
I WAS ON THIS MEDICINE FOR ABOUT NOT QUITE A YEAR AND A HALF.I DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY IT MADE ME FEEL:LIKE WANTING TO HARM MYSELF OR OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME.IN THE COURSE OF TAKING THIS I STARTED HAVING INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS IN MY JAW,WHEN I TOLD THE DOC WHO PRESCRIBED IT,THE TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.MY MOOD AND BEHAVIOR AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO GET WORSE WITH THIS MED.I HAVE SINCE QUIT USING IT,BUT STILL HAVE THE INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT IN MY JAW,WHICH I WAS TOLD I COULD TAKE NO LEGAL ACTION FOR THIS HAPPENING TO ME WHILE ON THIS MED.,WHICH IS IN THE LIST OF KNOW SIDE-EFFECTS FOR THIS MEDICINE.I WOULD NOT PRESCRIBE OR RECOMEND THIS TO ANYONE.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-30 00:15:12
Question/Comment:
I've been taking zyprexa for many years. it works wonders for my bipolar disorder. the only bad thing is that i gained 50 pounds. i got tired of looking at myself like that. i stopped taking the medication as prescribed by the dr. because of the weight, hoping that i would lose the weight. but as of today i am still very much overweight and i'm only taking the zyprexa once in a while if i feel the need to take it. i feel good, although i am not taking it as prescribed. i just wish i would lose the weight. taking the zyprexa in the evening still made me very tired in the morning. sometimes i would sleep till noon, and still be tired.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-06 00:59:18
Question/Comment:
I got fat and my doctor gave it to me with benzo which is a bad mix according to the info provided on this site, and I had convulsions at night. I stoppedt and now feel better than ever, and i'm hoping to lose the extra pounds.
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-30 11:19:27
Question/Comment:
Has anyone developed diabetes as a result of zyprexa. I took it since it came out and now have full fledged brtittle diabetes.
60 year old female
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-30 00:37:33
iGuard Answer/Reply:
5% of iGuard patients report glucose problems while taking Zyprexa. The prescribing information for Zyprexa warns about the risk of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). One study shows that up to 9% of patients receiving medications such as Zyprexa develop diabetes. A decrease in dose or stopping Zyprexa sometimes improves glucose control. Before changing anything in your medication regimen, make an appointment to discuss it with your physician.
Posted: 2009-08-05 18:13:25
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments About
Zyprexa